We bring together the most relevant Electronics Weekly content on a range of wireless technologies:

ZigBee is a low-power radio networking technology. It can support thousands of nodes in dynamic star and mesh networks. This is in contrast to Wibree, or ULP Bluetooth, for example, which links a small number of nodes to a host device, such as computer or phone.

The main application focus for Zigbee devices is monitoring and control. Examples of use include: lighting controls, medical sensing and monitoring, heating controls and smoke detectors. Devices can remain quiet for long periods without communications, allowing them to sleep without then need for close synchronisation

With transmission distances ranging from 10 to 100 meters - depending on power output and environmental characteristics - throughput rates of up to 250Kbs can be achieved, operating at 2.4GHz.

The duty cycle of a ZigBee-compliant device is designed to be extremely low, meaning power requirements  are low and very few packet data units are transmitted, which in turn reduces the likelihood of an unsuccessful transmission.

While concerns have been raised about a lack of standardisation in the Zigbee marketplace, vendors are already providing antennae that cover Bluetooth, WiFi, Wibree and ZigBee.

ELECTRONICS WEEKLY NEWS ON ZIGBEE

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Previous news to note

TI goes from ZigBee to Wibree
Texas Instruments is turning its attention from low-power RF ZigBee technology to the Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth wireless technology formerly known as Wibree.

Antenova antenna covers Bluetooth, WiFi, Wibree and ZigBee
Antenna developer Antenova has introduced a short range antenna intended for wireless headset, mobile handset and portable device applications.

ZigBee hit by lack of wireless standards
ZigBee could lose out on the pent-up demand for low power, low data, wireless mesh networks that exists if standardisation is not completed by the end of this year, according to Jennic.

Freescale says ZigBee is good for control systems
The primary market for ZigBee will continue to be control and monitoring applications, with telecoms mobile devices feeding into this, according to Freescale Semiconductor.

ZigBee to compete with Bluetooth and NFC in wireless market
ZigBee is to compete with Bluetooth, NFC and Wibree technologies in the future, following a move by the ZigBee Alliance to push the technology into the telecoms market.

Ref design cuts ZigBee wireless sensor cost to $5
Jennic has introduced a reference design for its JN5139 ZigBee wireless microcontroller which it claimed can reduce the bill of materials cost of modules for wireless sensor networks to under $5.

IMEC shows first ultra wideband ZigBee chip
Belgian semiconductor research organisation IMEC has revealed a 90nm CMOS transmitter for ZigBee over UWB.

Are ZigBee mesh networks the way ahead?
Industry interest in ZigBee mesh networks is building, according to Sheffield-based ZigBee chip maker Jennic.

Jennic cuts power consumption of ZigBee controller
Jennic has launched its second generation wireless microcontrollers, which combine a 32bit Risc processor and a ZigBee-ready radio.

Display firm believes ZigBee fails power spec
Malvern-based bistable LCD firm ZBD Displays has chosen a proprietary wireless protocol for its shelf-edge display system.

Zigbee will dominate mesh market, says analyst
There will be an array of short-range wireless technologies on view at the exhibition in Munich, but at least one market watcher believes that Zigbee is the one to watch.

Zigbee wireless systems monitor buildings
Swiss power sensing firm LEM has become the most recent company to adopt Zigbee for in-building wireless network products.

Distributor signs Zigbee chip specialist
Digi-Key has signed a world-wide distribution agreement with Zigbee wireless networking specialist Ember.

Oki has first ARM-based ZigBee device
Oki Semiconductor claims to have the first commercially available ARM-based ZigBee short-range wireless comms platform.

Jennic offers ZigBee design kit on website
Jennic is offering on its website a ZigBee network stack object library and all associated support including user guides, programming and reference manuals, and application notes.

MaxStream has RoHS compliant ZigBee
MaxStream's XBee and XBee-Pro OEM RF ZigBee modules are compliant with international RoHS compliance standards.

ZigBee chip designer expands after ST win
Ember, the ZigBee wireless comms chip firm, is to double the size of its Cambridge-based IC design facility by the end of the year.

ELECTRONICS WEEKLY FEATURES ON ZIGBEE

Estimating the Zigbee transmission range
As home, building, and industrial-automation applications go wireless, short-range wireless devices are receiving a lot of attention. Typically, these applications use either proprietary or standards-based approaches, such as ZigBee in the 900-MHz and 2.4-GHz ISM (industrial/scientific/medical) bands.

ELECTRONICS WEEKLY TRENDS & TECHNOLOGIES

Bluetooth the way forward for wireless

WiFi - Wireless networks here to stay

Future of WiMax promising, despite critics

Wibree - Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth

Ofcom and the regulation of UK communications

ZIGBEE DEVELOPMENT KITS

Max Stream XBee ZigBee/802.15.4 Development Kit

Helicomm Module Development Kits

Silicon Labs 2.4 GHz ZigBee Development Kit

OTHER RESOURCES ON ZIGBEE

ZigBee FAQ

ZigBee (Wikipedia)

Wibree FAQ

Wibree (Wikipedia)